Greetings!
As some of you may know, I have been contemplating stepping down as CEO at JFS to retire and rewire. I have been in discussion with our leadership for the last several months and have shared that I will be leaving my role as President and CEO at the end of January 2023. It has been a challenging decision, both because of the love and passion that I have for JFS, and because of my deep commitment to the meaningful work we do. However, it is time for me to turn to my family and grandchildren, to learning two new languages, to have the luxury of time to volunteer for causes that are important to me, and to develop this next phase of my life with as much enthusiasm and gusto as I have brought to everything else.
I intend to provide support to JFS during this transition, and hope to still be at JFS when a new CEO has been found! We would like to have a new person in place by the end of the year. A search is currently underway. For more information please contact Mary T. Petrone, JFS Human Resource Administrator, m.petrone@jfswm.org.
I have great appreciation for everything you have done and continue to do for JFS. During the months ahead, please know that I will continue to work with you and with JFS with the same dedication and energy that I have always given.
I would also like to wish you and your family a happy and healthy 5783! On behalf of the JFS board, staff and volunteers, we hope that this coming year brings good health and happiness.
May the spirit of tikkun olam in our community continue to inspire all of us to work together to make our communities and our world a better place.
Thank you, and Shana Tova,
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Maxine J. Stein
President and CEO
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Jewish Family Jam is Back!
Come sing, move, and jam with us. Jewish Family Jam is an enriching, joy filled, Jewish music and learning class for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers, held weekly 10:30-11:15am Wednesdays at Lander Grinspoon Academy, Northampton MA.
Explore Jewish holidays, language, culture and values through music, singing, movement and play with Aram Rubenstein-Gillis. Aram is a dynamic song leader and music teacher who has led joyful music with schools, camps, and religious communities for over 25 years. Meet other families, make some music and have some fun! Open to all – no experience necessary.
COST: $25 registration fee for Fall 2022 program. Online payment accepted.
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Updates from our New American Program & How You Can Help!
We have been incredibly busy this month welcoming 63 refugees! Ten are Spanish speaking from Guatemala, five are Pashto speaking from Afghanistan, six are Arabic speaking from Syria, and 42 are Swahili or Kinyarwanda speaking from the Democratic Republic of Congo. These individuals and families come to us as part of our refugee resettlement program through HIAS. Prior to September, we received 89 refugees this FY22 (ending September 30th) through HIAS.
These numbers do not include the over 200 Afghans who arrived to JFS as SIV's and evacuees, over 170 Ukrainians, and 50 Cuban and Haitian entrants. Every week brings new Ukrainian walk-in clients to our office needing assistance, as well as Haitians for whom we have established a waiting list for help to receive assistance with case management, referrals, housing, and filing of applications for qualifying services.
This month we furnished ten new apartments! We have cleared out space in our storeroom for more arrivals coming soon, and are currently in need of dressers, couches, kitchen items, and kitchen tables and chairs. If you have any of these items to donate, please fill our Donate Goods form on our website, and we will contact you as soon as possible to facilitate your donation.
Help us replenish our supplies by purchasing items from our WISHLIST to support newly arriving Ukrainians and other refugees. Click here for the link to our Amazon WISHLIST, and designate delivery to JFS, 15 Lenox Street, Springfield, MA 01108. Please fill out a gift receipt with your order so that we can thank you!
Sign up to VOLUNTEER! As JFS is expanding its programming, more support from the community is needed to help newly arriving refugee families in Springfield and the Berkshires. You can apply on our website, or contact Massara Almafrachi, Community Engagement Coordinator, at m.almafrachi@jfswm.org for any further questions.
We are still looking for additional musical instruments for Ukrainian families. If you have a violin, cello, flute, accordion, bayan, or other musical instruments that you can donate, please contact Dana Lanoue at d.lanoue@jfswm.org. |
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Spread the Word--We Have Openings in Our Caregiver Support Groups
Are you caring for a parent, spouse or loved one? Join one of our Caregiver Support Groups! The JFS Caregiver Support Group provides a place to reduce caregiver isolation, receive support, explore relevant topics, discover resources, and share coping strategies.
Join us to network, support and learn from other caregivers! Currently all Caregiver Support Groups are being held remotely. Groups are free of charge. Pre-registration is required. Click here for more information, or contact Cathy Chandler at c.chandler@jfswm.org.
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